Bruno Tonioli complimented Driver for his impact on the dance floor but told the football star to “refine” his moves because he’s "got talent!"

He earned a solid 21 points.

Last season’s champ, Karina Smirnoff, who won the mirror ball trophy with Salvadorian-American Army vet J.R. Martinez, lagged behind in scores and performances.

Her partner this season is musician Gavin Degraw.

"I’ve been wanting to get out from behind the piano," Degraw said.

Smirnoff said she is not ready to let go of her champion status and wants to win again this season. She wants Degraw to share her sentiment.

"I believe in him 100 percent,” Smirnoff said. “Now I need for him to believe in himself."

They danced the foxtrot and earned a score of 20. Not bad for the first dance, but not great if comparing it with actor Jaleel White’s or opera singer Katherine Jenkins' foxtrots. Both received impressive scores of 26 (out of 30) points for the night.

Disney star Roshon Fegan and his partner Chelsie Hightower also made a statement on dance floor Monday evening as Fegan added his hip hop and freestyle moves to his cha cha.